29/03/2024
John 19:28-29 See Ps 69:21. Many prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in the sufferings and death of Christ. Nothing happened by accident, everything had some purpose of God. Remember that Jesus was suffering in the place of us (sinners), bearing our punishment (references at v 30, What was finished? Surely He meant that the whole purpose which brought Him into the world was accomplished (4:34). This purpose He Himself expressed in different words at different times. See 3:14-17; 6:51; 10:10-11, 15, 17; 12:23-24, 31-33; 17:4; 18:11 (Matt 26:39); Matt 20:28. John the Baptist put it like this: “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29). Other writers of the New Testament put it in other words. See Rom 3:25; 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:15, 19; Gal 1:4; Eph 5:2; Phil 2:8; Col 1:20-22; 1 Tim 1:15; Heb 1:3; 2:14, 17; 9:12, 14, 15; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 4:9-10; Rev 1:5-6.
“It is finished” means His sacrifice and sufferings for us (sinners) were finished. He had taken away the son's of the world. He had redeemed us(His people) with His own blood. He had made salvation and liberation from sin possible for everyone. This work is finished. All that is left for us(sinners) to do, to gain salvation is to repent and truly believe the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). Since the work He came to do was finished, there was no need for Him to remain any longer suffering on the cross. It was a real atonement delivering salvation for all those for whom Christ died - His elect, His sheep.
So, when Christ cried out, "It is finished!" He had accomplished the atonement for all who believe - His sheep. Believing is certainly what the true Christian "does", however, that faith is itself a gift of God as the Father draws His own to Himself as the bride for Jesus Christ. Compare 10:17-18; Luke 23:46.). His thirst on the cross was a part of that. Compare Luke 16:22-24. Jesus thirsted that believers might have the water of life (4:14; 7:37-38; Rev 22:17), and not thirst in eternity (Rev 7:16-17).
